There’s no doubt that the Methow Valley needs a redundant power transmission line to keep energy flowing during times of crisis. Now that the state Supreme Court has weighed in on the related condemnation issue, the door is finally open for the Pateros-to-Twisp power transmission line to be built.

Seattle Seahawks fans have thrown open the so-called "Cascade Curtain" — the imaginary yet-ever-so-real curtain separating politics and lifestyles of those living east and west of the Cascade Mountains.

We urge Natural Resources to continue with its plan to sell the burnt trees, plant new ones and not bend to the demands of those who would clog up the sale process for so long that the trees’ remaining value is destroyed.

Current forest rules allow off-road vehicles everywhere, unless a need arises for a specific closure. But if the rules change, motorized vehicles would no longer be allowed in millions of square miles of forest in North-Central Washington.

A decision by officials to hide the finalists' names for the Department of Fish and Wildlife's top job only damages an already tarnished reputation. Fish and Wildlife Commission members should release the names of the finalists before secretly interviewing them Thursday.

We’d like to say the spirit of Christmas is alive and well here. But that wouldn’t quite be accurate ... residents here take care of their friends and neighbors all year along, not just during the holidays.